Glen Rock expands paving projects

An extensive, and extended, array of road resurfacing projects got underway earlier this month across the borough, prompted mainly by the ravages of last winter's multiple storms and severe temperatures, and the unavoidable effects of repeated plowing.

Prior to the formation of the 2014 capital spending plan, the municipality had earmarked roughly $400,000 for the paving of nine residential streets and the Memorial parking lot. Included in the original list were Rodney Street, Wellesley Road, Gramercy Place, Stonefield Road, Belvidere Road, Clinton Place, Abbington Terrace, Pembroke Place and Salem Court.

But according to councilwoman and public works chair Mary Jane Surrago, that list was ultimately expanded at the recommendation of Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Robert Tirserio, to include Monmouth Road, Herold Drive and Bedford Place, based on the extent of potholes and other issues on those streets. The additional work raised the capital expenditure for paving to $554,000.

The only planned work that fell out of the new schedule was the improvement of Pembroke.

"It made sense to us to postpone road paving on Pembrook, so that it can be addressed along with another, adjoining street next year," Surrago said.

While minor or temporary filling of potholes has been performed by DPW crews since the winter, the ongoing, major road repairs are being performed by D&L Paving, a Nutley-based contractor. The contract for the work was awarded to the company by borough council resolution at the July 30 public meeting.